Four Milky Way Blocks

 

Everything I knew about goldfish came from Tom and Jerry, Figaro and Cleo, Sylvester the Cat, and a 1961 children’s book called “A Fish Out of Water.” I shouldn’t have been surprised to learn nearly everything I knew was wrong. Cartoons always show goldfish in simple glass bowls scarcely larger than themselves; without filtration, aeration, or temperature controls. In real life, goldfish should be kept in the largest habitat available – at least 10 to 20 gallons PER FISH. Improving the environment can let goldfish to grow to 8 or 10 inches and live 10 to 20 years. (The largest goldfish on record weighed 67 pounds, and the oldest was 100!) The children’s book held the only correct information: you should never feed your goldfish too much. They always seem eager to eat, but it’s easy to overfeed them. Give them a tiny bit at the same time every day. You’ll find (here’s another shocker) fish actually do remember.